By Carol Round – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will”—Romans 12:2 (NIV). I like refinishing furniture, taking something old and making it look new. However, I haven’t had time to do that lately. My sister mentioned recently that she wanted to refinish a used piece she’d found for sale into a coffee bar for her kitchen. Like me, she bemoaned the fact of her busyness and not having time to transform the furniture into something new and useful.
In Romans 12:2, Paul talks about a different kind of transformation. This type of transformation isn’t physical. It’s about our mind being transformed so we can “be able to test and approve what God’s will is for our lives—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
To be transformed is not a one-time event. It is a process requiring us to stay constantly aware of the patterns of this world, tempting us to ignore God’s will for our lives. It’s even more difficult than ever before if we allow the constant cacophony of sound bites, videos, social media posts, and other means of communication and entertainment to distract us from God. We must allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds, but we must also do our part. That’s why we must stay in the Word.
Renewing the Mind
Pastor Charles Stanley once said, “Renewing the mind is a little like refinishing furniture. It is a two-stage process. It involves taking off the old and replacing it with the new. The old are the lies you have learned to tell or were taught by those around you; it is the attitudes and ideas that have become a part of your thinking, but do not reflect reality. The ‘new’ is the truth. To renew your mind is to involve yourself in the process of allowing God to bring to the surface the lies you have mistakenly accepted and replace them with truth. To the degree that you do this, your behavior will be transformed.”
In Ephesians 4:20-24, Paul writes, “That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
Achieving true righteousness and holiness will cost you. Throughout the transformation process, you may be tempted to give in to the desires of your past. Fighting your fleshly desires is a daily struggle that cannot be fought without God’s Holy Spirit. Titus writes, “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:5- 7).
The Evidence of Transformation
To change my way of thinking, I’ve distanced myself from those who distract me from what God has called me to do. It hurts sometimes. But, as I’ve grown closer to God through studying His Word each morning, finding new friends who are on the same path, and staying focused on the Holy Spirit’s nudges throughout the day, it has become easier.
I find myself more in tune with the Holy Spirit, who reminds me when I slip up that being transformed is a lifelong process. He’s working in me and through me, but it’s a daily battle.
That daily battle in the life of a Christian is to be renewed and controlled by God’s truth. It’s the truth that will transform us from our sinful selves to be used by God for His Kingdom work.
I always love hearing from my readers. Please e-mail me at carol@carolaround.com with your thoughts or visit my blog for more inspiration at www.carolaround.com. If you need a speaker or workshop leader, contact me at the above e-mail address or through my website. I’d be delighted to hear from you.
Photo by Håkon Grimstad on Unsplash
